Send GMA for medical treatment abroad now, says Suarez

By Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines -- House minority leader Rep. Danilo Suarez is set to file a resolution asking the judiciary and executive branches to allow former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to leave the country and seek medical treatment abroad.

Based on the medical bulletins from the Makati Medical Center last August 11 and the Veteran's Memorial Medical Center last July 5, he said Arroyo is suffering from moderate to severe attacks on the neck, shoulder, ankle and back.

More alarmingly, Suarez said she suffers from frequent episodes of choking.

Her cardiologist Dr. Robert Anastacio believes that she is at risk of sudden death unless her condition is properly attended to.

Suarez said that without proper medical care, Mrs. Arroyo's condition is bound to get worse and that more modern treatment options that are available abroad should be allowed the former President.

According to Suarez, Arroyo’s three previous operations were a failure and that treatment abroad could finally be successful.

Anastacio had suggested that Arroyo get a second opinion from a neuro-cervical doctor in New York.

Suarez said that congressmen cannot sit idly by while one of their members is suffering and cannot get the proper care she needs, noting that the former President lost so much weight.